West of England Ministerial Training Course (WEMTC)

WEMTC trains men and women for ordination as priests and deacons and for Reader ministry, including Pioneer Readers. Most of our community come from Gloucester and Hereford Dioceses, but students from neighbouring Dioceses are also very welcome - our centres are accessible to those in the south-west of Worcester and Coventry Dioceses, north Bristol, and northern Oxford. Independent students also join us to support their own growth in discipleship and ministry. Our emphasis is on training for ministry and so a significant part of the course involves placements, formation and competence skills. While training non-residentially with WEMTC, you will be able to build strong collaborative relationships with others in training, while applying your learning in practice in your existing parish or workplace ministry.

The WEMTC community meet to study together at Redcliffe College, Gloucester, and the Ludlow Mascall Centre, Ludlow - students choose which centre is most convenient for them. All courses consist of one formal study evening per week during term time, a number of residential weekend courses and a week-long residential school each year. Students can also attend a number of practically focused Saturday Workshops and more informal evenings focused on ministerial formation.

Courses

WEMTC students usually train for three years for ordained or licensed ministry; those who come with extensive prior theological learning or ministerial experience may take an accelerated course over one or two years, as agreed with their Bishop, DDO or Warden of Readers.

Depending on the ministry for which you are preparing, and on your prior experience, you will study for a Certificate, a Diploma, or a Graduate Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission, taking modules at Levels 4, 5 and/or 6 – i.e. the level of university undergraduate study. (It is also possible for WEMTC students to access Masters-level courses through our partnership with Ripon College Cuddesdon.) Individual modules are usually studied over 5 or 10 weeks, sometimes through residential study, placements, or independent study. We work together with each applicant to identify the right course of study to meet their needs and the specific requirements of their training.